Febrile Convulsions

Question 1

What are 6 features of febrile convulsion

Answer 1

Stiff child
Child loses consciousness
Legs / arms twitch

Temperature prior to seizure
Lasts less than 15minutes
Vomit / froth from mouth

Question 2

How common is Febrile convulsion?

Answer 2

1/20 children have it between 6m-6yr

Question 3

How to reassure parents about febrile convulsion?

Answer 3

Some children may have this one off event and that’s it

Other children (30-40%) may have multiple but grow out of them after 5yr old

Important to stress this* doesn’t affect your child development*

Question 4

Prognosis in terms of risk of febrile convulsion

Answer 4

99% will go on to live as if they’ve never had this febrile convulsion

Very small 1% risk of developing epilepsy in the future

Question 5

How do we manage a febrile convulsion in hospital?

Answer 5

Treat the underlying cause of the fever + supportive management => paracetamol / fluids

Question 6

If a seizure happens at home, what to tell parents (3)

Answer 6

Soft pillows around them - safe env.
Recovery position
TIME CONVULSION LENGTH
999 if >10mins
get a video where possible

Question 7

What do we tell parents NOT TO DO if a child has a febrile convulsion

Answer 7

Cold bath / shower / sponge

Question 8

febrile convulsions focussed hx

Answer 8

before - viral infection?
during - duration, limbs involved, eyes rolled back, incontinence
after - recovery in 1hrs, no recurrence within 24hrs
MENINGITIS screen

Question 9

febrile convulsions overall structure

Answer 9

focussed hx
definition/features
prevalence
reassure
prognosis/epilepsy
inpx mx
what to do if it happens at home (4)
what NOT to do
safety net

Question 10

safety net

Answer 10

neck pain // rash // photophobia